Starting Dec. 1, Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) who are outside of Singapore without a valid Re-Entry Permit (REP) will have 180 days to apply for one before losing their PR status.
A valid REP is necessary whenever a PR travels out of Singapore. It allows them to retain their PR status while abroad. Currently, PRs who are outside of Singapore without a valid REP are deemed to have lost their PR status immediately. They have a one-month grace period after their REP has expired to apply for a new one if they wish to reinstate their PR status.
| PR Status and Actions Needed | Current Process | From 01 Dec 2025 | ||
| PR status, if outside Singapore without a valid REP | Loses PR status | Must apply for REP within 180 days to keep PR. Continues to be a PR within the 180 days or beyond that when REP application is pending | ||
| Actions needed to reinstate PR status, if outside Singapore without a valid REP | Apply for reinstatement of PR by applying for an REP within the one-month grace period | PR reinstatement no longer allowed once PR status is lost. To submit fresh PR application, if eligible to do so | ||
| REP application outcome and PR status | If REP approved, PR reinstated | If REP rejected, not a PR and PR is not reinstated | If REP approved, retains PR status | If REP rejected, loses PR status |
PRs who fail to apply for a REP within the prescribed period will lose their PR status the day after this 180-day period ends, regardless of whether they have returned to Singapore or are still overseas. With this revision, there will no longer be an avenue for reinstatement once a PR loses their status.
Those without a valid REP will still be allowed to re-enter Singapore during the prescribed period if they meet ICA's usual assessment at Singapore immigration checkpoints.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
